Lets face it, the film is made entirely credible by Cushings performance and presence, daft creatures....funny boneless bodies that look as skinny and bog eyed as a supermodel but you believe in it because Cushing is present, what an actor! Hammer, Amicus and Tigon should have got down on their knees and thanked god he was willing to do such films every morning they started a days shooting.
shareCushing could lift any film. The performance that stands out for me is in The Blood Beast Terror, which is a disaster aside from his performance. He tends to be pigeonholed as a horror actor, where he is, in my opinion, one of the finest British actors of any genre.
On the other hand, I think Island of Terror is a genuinely good film, even aside from Cushing. Sure, it looks a bit ridiculous, and it's pretty low-budget, but it's actually quite well written and directed, and the support (especially Eddie Byrne, Sam Kydd) is good.
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Agree with you. Sure there were plenty of Brit actors that could have played such parts, but why not choose an outstanding known quantity?
sharePeter Cushing is always good to watch and he does have to carry this film. His feeble joke and insipid smile at the end says it all.
shareThe film is awful with some ridiculous looking creatures,orange squash bubbling away in the lab,zero tension,bad acting- particularly from Judd, who exudes none of the charisma and talent he showed in the excellent "The Day The Earth Caught Fire" made a few years earlier.I agree that Cushing is usually good and I only watched it because of him as he struggles to overcome some ridiculous dialogue and situations-poor guy,really felt sorry for him.I must admit I was more transfixed on a villager wearing the most shocking jumper!
shareI love these old movies, but everyone has their own opinions of them of course.
I don't think they were meant to be taken seriously or picked apart while searching for a rhyme or reason, just grab your favorite snack, turn down the lights and enjoy. 🍕🍔🍟🍨🍪☕🍭🍯🍓🍌